SWAS Section
The History of the South Warwickshire
Summer Tennis League 1990-2008
1990
League founded by Corin Bishop following a successful survey in 1989 and
he became first self-appointed League Secretary.
League consisted of 1 x Division of 8 x teams (from 7 x Clubs).
Teams:- Alcester A, Alcester B, Aston Cantlow, Bidford-on-Avon, FISSC,
Harbury, Henley-in-Arden and Warwickshire Police.
No Committee during first season. Rules drawn up by Corin Bishop.
League Sponsorship obtained from I.D.C. Design Company, Stratford-on-Avon,
£120.00 per season for three years.
League Name:- The I.D.C. South Warwickshire Summer League
Floodlit Tournament introduced in September played at Henley T/C with
balls supplied by Terry Slatter, The Sports Shop, Stratford.
League Champions:- Henley / Runners-up:- Harbury
Floodlit Winners:- FISSC / Runners-up:- Alcester A
1991
First A.G.M. held - Rules officially adopted - Committee elected (Chairman
- Mike Hart (Alcester), Secretary - Corin Bishop (Police) and Treasurer -
Ken Parkes (Police). Held at Bidford Tennis Club
Attendance by 12 members from 6 clubs. Name change for sponsors to AMEC
Design & Management Ltd.
New League Name:- "AMEC South Warwickshire Summer League" Sponsorship
increase negotiated for next two years up to £150 per ann.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Negotiated with Tony King of "King Construction" of
Alcester for £98.30 plus purchase of League Champions Trophy.
League Expanded to 1 x Division of 10 x teams (from 8 clubs).
New Teams:- Henley B and Littleton.
Leaving Teams:- Nil.
League Champions:- Henley A / Runners-up:- Henley B
Floodlit Winners:- Henley A / Runners-up:- Henley B
1992
A.G.M. held at Bidford Tennis Club. Same Committee re-elected.
Attendance by 10 members from 8 clubs. First President elected - Tony King
(Alcester)
League Sponsors:- Still AMEC Design & Management £150.00
Floodlit Sponsors:- Still Tony King of "King's Courts" £90.00 Floodlit
Tournament split into 2 parts. Top 7 x teams in the "Shield" and the
bottom 7 x teams in the "Plate" Competition.
League Expanded to 2 x Divisions of 7 x teams in each (from 9 clubs)
New Teams:- Alcester C, Bidford B, HDA Redditch, Henley C and Warwickshire
County Council.
Leaving Team:- Harbury.
League Champions:- Henley A / Runners-up:- Henley B
Division 2 Winners:- HDA / Runners-up:- Aston Cantlow
Floodlit Shield :- FISSC / Runners-up:- Bidford A
Floodlit Plate:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Alcester A
1993
A.G.M. held at Bidford Tennis Club. Same Committee re-elected.
Attendance by 9 members from 7 clubs.
New League Sponsors:- Listers Volkswagon Agents of Stratford. Negotiated
£150.00 per year for three years.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King at £90.00.
New League Name:- "The Listers League".
League Expanded to 2 x Divisions (17 x teams from 10 clubs). Division 1 of
8 x teams, Division 2 of 9 x teams.
New Teams:- FISSC B, HDA B and Ullenhall.
Leaving Teams:- Nil.
League Champions:- Henley A / Runners-up:- Henley B
Division 2 Winners:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Ullenhall
Floodlit Shield:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Bidford A
Floodlit Plate:- Aston Cantlow / Runners-up:- Littleton
1994
A.G.M. held at The Bell Inn, Alcester. Same Committee re-elected.
Attendance by 15 members from 10 clubs.
League Sponsors:- Still Listers at £150.00.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King. Increased to £100.00.
League Expanded to 3 x Divisions (21 x teams from 13 clubs). Division 1 of
8 x teams, Div. 2 of 7 x teams, Div. 3 of 6 x teams.
New Teams:- Alcester D, Claverdon, Inkberrow, Stratford-on-Avon and
Tanworth-in-Arden. (Alcester D dropped out mid-season).
Leaving Team:- Warwickshire County Council.
League Champions:- Alcester A / Runners-up:- Henley A
Division 2 Winners:- Littleton / Runners-up:- Aston Cantlow
Division 3 Winners:- Stratford / Runners-up:- Inkberrow
Floodlit Shield:- Alcester A / Runners-up:- Henley A
Floodlit Plate:- HDA B / Runners-up:- Bidford B
1995
A.G.M. held at The Bell Inn, Alcester. Free Buffet introduced. Same
Committee re-elected.
Attendance by 8 members from 7 clubs. Rules amended stating ALL CLUBS MUST
send a representative to future A.G.M.'s.
League Sponsors:- Still Listers at £150.00 per year.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King at £100.00. Introduced free Buffet
League Unchanged at 3 x Divisions of 7 x teams (21 from 13 clubs)
New Team:- Stratford B.
Leaving Team:- Alcester D.
League Champions:- Henley A / Runners-up:- Alcester A
Division 2 Winners:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Bidford A
Division 3 Winners:- HDA B / Runners-up:- Claverdon
Floodlit Shield:- Alcester A / Runners-up:- Aston Cantlow
Floodlit Plate:- Henley C / Runners-up:- Claverdon
1996
A.G.M. held at The Bell Inn, Alcester. Same Committee re-elected.
Attendance by 18 members from 13 clubs. (One club absent FISSC were
fined). Introduced Rules & Fixture Book.
League Sponsors:- Listers - Agreed to negotiated 1 year extra £150.00
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King £100. Balls from Slatters Sports.
League Unchanged at 3 x Divisions of 7 x teams (21 from 14 clubs).
New Team:- Tysoe.
Leaving Team:- Bidford B.
League Champions:- Alcester A / Runners-up:- Henley A
Division 2 Winners:- HDA A / Runners-up:- Stratford A
Division 3 Winners:- Tanworth / Runners-up:- Inkberrow
Floodlit Shield:- Ullenhall / Runners-up:- FISSC A
Floodlit Plate:- Tanworth / Runners-up:- FISSC B
1997
A.G.M. held at The Bridge Inn, Bidford-on-Avon. Same Committee.
Attendance by 20 members from 13 clubs. (One club absent Littleton were
fined)
New League Sponsors:- Prudden Road Servicing of Redditch. Negotiated
£180.00 per year for five years.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King at £100. Balls from Slatters Sports.
New League Name:- "The P.R.S. League".
League Unchanged at 3 x Divisions of 7 x teams (21 from 14 clubs).
New Teams:- Aston Cantlow B, Studley and Tanworth-in-Arden B.
Leaving Teams:- Alcester C, Henley C and Tysoe.
League Champions:- Henley A / Runners-up:- HDA A
Division 2 Winners:- Tanworth A / Runners-up:- A/Cantlow A
Division 3 Winners:- Studley / Runners-up:- Claverdon
Floodlit Shield:- HDA A / Runners-up:- FISSC A
Floodlit Plate:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Studley
1998
A.G.M. held at The Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon.
Chairman, Mike Hart (Alcester), Retired after 7 years. New expanded
Committee Elected:- Chairman:Alan Robson (Henley) Secretary: Corin Bishop
(Police), Treasurer: Ken Parkes (Police), Div. 1 Organiser: Bob Baker (FISSC),
Div. 2 Organiser: Dixie Collins (Littleton), and Div. 3 Organiser: Peter
Bravington (Stratford).
Attendance by 24 members from 13 clubs. (Two clubs absent Claverdon and
Ullenhall, both fined)
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing. Increase negotiated to
£210.00 per year including adverts in Fix. Book.
Junior Sponsors:- Redditch Roadstone (Parent Company Bardon Aggregates of
Coalville, Leicestershire) agree to 1 year renewable deal to donate £50.00
cheques to each winner of each division with proviso money is to be used
to promote Junior tennis within or by their club.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Still Tony King at £100. Balls from Slatters Sports.
League Expanded to 22 x teams from 15 clubs. Division 1 = 7 x teams,
Division 2 = 7 x teams, Division 3 = 8 x teams.
New Team:- Chipping Campden. (Henley B & Aston Cantlow B dropped out
mid-season)
Leaving Team:- Nil.
League Champions:- Tanworth A / Runners-up:- FISSC A
Division 2 Winners:- Studley / Runners-up:- Stratford A
Division 3 Winners:- HDA B / Runners-up:- Warks. Police
Floodlit Shield:- Ullenhall / Runners-up:- Tanworth A
Floodlit Plate:- HDA B / Runners-up:- Claverdon
1999
A.G.M. held at The Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Treasurer of 8 years, Ken Parkes. Also Division 3 Organiser after 1
year, Peter Bravington. Replaced by Malcolm Dewsbury (Bidford) and Simon
Price (Bidford) respectively. All other Officers re-elected.
Attendance by 27 members from 14 clubs.
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Redditch Roadstone/Bardon Aggregates as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before.
League Reduced to 21 teams from 14 clubs. Division 1 of 6 teams and Div. 2
of 7 & Div. 3 of 8 teams.
New Teams:- Chipping Campden B, Studley B and Pershore.
Leaving Teams:- Aston Cantlow B, Henley B, Warwickshire Police and
Ullenhall.
League Champions :- Tanworth A / Runners-up - Studley A
Division 2 Winners :-Littleton / Runners-up - Henley
Division 3 Winners :-Pershore / Runners-up - Stratford B
Floodlit Shield :- Inkberrow / Runners-up - Tanworth A
Floodlit Plate :- Pershore / Runners-up - Stratford B
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Dixie Collins- (The Littletons T/C)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2000
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Division 1 Organiser after 2 years, Bob Baker. Replaced by Phil Wells (Tanworth).
All other Officers re-elected.
Attendance by 25 members from 14 clubs.
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Redditch Roadstone/Bardon Aggregates as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. New ball sponsor sort.
League maintained at 21 teams from 14 clubs. 3 divisions of 7 teams.
New Teams:- Stratford C.
Leaving Teams:- HDA B Redditch. (Expelled 1999 - failing to fulfil
fixtures)
League Champions:- Studley A / Runners-up:- Tanworth A
Division 2 Winners:- Inkberrow / Runners-up:- Campden A
Division 3 Winners:- Claverdon / Runners-up:- Stratford D
Floodlit Shield:- Inkberrow / Runners-up:- Studley A
Floodlit Plate:- Pershore / Runners-up:- FISSC B
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Phil Wells (Tanworth-in-Arden T/C)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2001
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. All League
Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 21 members from 13 clubs. FISSC fined for non-attendance.
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Negotiated increase to £250.00 per year
Junior Sponsors:- Redditch Roadstone/Bardon Aggregates as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. New ball sponsor Keith Burke of
Motorcaravan Sales, Studley.
League increased from 21 teams from 14 clubs to 22 teams. Three divisions,
Div.1 and 2 of 7 teams. Div.3 of 8 teams.
New Teams:- Inkberrow B and Littleton B.
Leaving Teams:- FISSC B
League Champions:- Inkberrow A / Runners-up:- Alcester
Division 2 Winners:- Henley / Runners-up:- Claverdon
Division 3 Winners:- Stratford C / Runners-up:- HDA
Floodlit Shield:- Pershore / Runners-up:- Alcester
Floodlit Plate:- A/Cantlow / Runners-up:- FISSC
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Dave Pitcher (A/Cantlow)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2002
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. All League
Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 18 members from 12 clubs. FISSC, HDA and Ilmington fined for
non-attendance.
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Negotiated increase to £250.00 per year
Junior Sponsors:- Redditch Roadstone/Bardon Aggregates as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. Ball sponsor Keith Burke of
Motorcaravan Sales, Studley, as before.
League increased from 22 teams from 14 clubs to 23 teams from 15. Three
divisions, Div.1 of 7 teams, Div. 2 & Div. 3 of 8 teams.
New Teams:- Alcester (Lower team entering Div. 3 replacing Div. 1 team),
Claverdon B, and new club Ilmington.
Leaving Teams:- Alcester (Div. 1 side) and Tanworth B
New Inter-League Charity Cup Final: Sponsored by Prudden Road Surfacing.
Cup and £250.00 donation to charity decided on by winners of Annual Final
between Champions of Summer & Winter Leagues
Charity Cup Winners:- Pershore (Winter League) bt Inkberrow A
League Champions:- Studley A / Runners-up:- Littleton A
Division 2 Winners:- Ch. Campden A / Runners-up:- Tanworth
Division 3 Winners:- Littleton B / Runners-up:- Ch. Campden B
Floodlit Shield:- Studley A / Runners-up:- Claverdon A
Floodlit Plate:- Bidford A / Runners-up:- Stratford D
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Simon Price (Bidford-on-Avon)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2003
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Division 1 Organiser after 3 years, Phil Wells. Replaced by Corin
Bishop (Bidford). New Division 4 Organiser elected, Paul Haffner (Bidford)
All other League Officials re-elected.
Full Attendance by 27 members from 16 clubs.
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Asphalt Express, Redditch. (Same company but name change
from Redditch Roadstone/Bardon Aggregates) Negotiated increase to £200 to
cover new Division 4.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King. Negotiated increase £25 to £125. Ball
sponsor Keith Burke of Motorcaravan Sales, Studley, as before.
League increased from 23 teams from 15 clubs to 27 from 16. Also increased
for first time from 3 Divisions to 4 Divisions.
Division 1 of 7, Division 2 of 8 and Divisions 3 and 4 of 6 teams.
New Teams:- FISSC B, Littleton C, Stratford E and new club Shipston.
Leaving Teams:- Nil
Charity Cup Wnrs:- Alcester A (Winter League) beat Studley A
League Champions:- Stratford C / Runners-up:- Inkberrow A
Division 2 Winners:- Stratford D / Runners-up:- FISSC A
Division 3 Winners:- Pershore / Runners-up:- Bidford A
Division 4 Winners:- Shipston / Runners-up:- Stratford E
Floodlit Shield:- Stratford C / Runners-up:- Littletons A
Floodlit Plate:- Shipston / Runners-up:- Ilmington
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Paul Haffner (Bidford)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2004
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Division 2 Organiser after 6 years, Dixie Collins. Replaced by Simon
Moss (Shipston).
All other League Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 27 members from 17 clubs. Pershore fined for non-attendance
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Asphalt Express, Redditch, as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. Ball sponsor Keith Burke of
Motorcaravan Sales, Studley, as before.
League increased from 27 teams from 16 clubs to 31 from 18.
New Cups purchased by Sponsors Prudden Road Surfacing for all four
divisions
Divisions re-named Premier Division (Old Division1), Divisions 1,2,3
(Previously 2, 3, & 4 respectively)
Premier Division and Division One consist of 8 teams, while Division 2 and
3 consist of 7 teams.
New Teams:- Henley B, Shipston B and new clubs Evesham and Moreton-in-the-Marsh.
Leaving Teams:- Nil
New King Cup:- The old Division 1 trophy donated originally by Tony King,
to be used for best club development/effort.
New Junior Cup:- Competition introduced by League Secretary. Played in
local Pools on a Round-Robin basis.
Charity Cup Winners:- Stratford-on-Avon (Summer League) beat Littleton
League Champions:- Stratford B / Runners-up:- Studley A
Division 1 Winners:- Ch. Campden A / Runners-up:- Claverdon A
Division 2 Winners:- Shipston A / Runners-up:- FISSC B
Division 3 Winners:- Evesham / Runners-up:- Ilmington
Floodlit Shield:- Stratford B / Runners-up:- Studley A
Floodlit Plate:- Bidford A / Runners-up:- HDA
Floodlit Cup:- Evesham / Runners-up:- Ilmington
Junior Cup Winners:- Inkberrow / Runners-up:- Shipston
King Cup Winners:- Bidford-on-Avon (Club of the Year)
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Richard Butler (Claverdon)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2005
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Chairman Alan Robson after 7 years, Replaced by Tony Eskew (Secretary
WLTA). No volunteer to run new Division 4 so League Secretary volunteered.
All other League Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 28 members from 21 clubs. A/Cantlow fined for non-attendance
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Asphalt Express, Redditch, as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. New Ball sponsor Paul Bruner of
Shopfittings and Equipment, Bidford. Agreed four year sponsorship.
League increased from 31 teams from 18 clubs to 37 from 23.
New Division 4 formed after record entry of new teams.
Premier Division and Division 1 & 2 consist of 8 teams, Division 3 of 7
teams and Division 4 consist of 6 teams.
New Teams:- Claverdon C and new clubs Ardencote Manor, Harbury,
Snitterfield, Ullenhall and Whitnash.
Leaving Teams:- Nil
Charity Cup Winners:- Stratford-on-Avon (Winter League) beat Studley
League Champions:- Stratford B / Runners-up:- Inkberrow A
Division 1 Winners:- FIISC A / Runners-up:- Shipston A
Division 2 Winners:- Evesham / Runners-up:- Aston Cantlow
Division 3 Winners:- Moreton-in-the-Marsh / Runners-up:- Studley B
Division 4 Winners:- Snitterfield / Runners-up:- Whitnash
Floodlit Shield:- Stratford B / Runners-up:- Inkberrow A
Floodlit Plate:- Evesham / Runners-up:- Alcester
Floodlit Cup:- Bidford B / Runners-up:- Shipston B
Junior Cup Winners:- Shipston-on-Stour / Runners-up:- Inkberrow
King Cup Winners:- Inkberrow (Club of the Year)
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - David Howard (Henley-in-Arden)
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
2006
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. Retirement
of Division 2 Organiser after 7 years, Replaced by Sean Witheford
(Littleton). Richard Butler (Claverdon) volunteered as Division 4
Organiser.
All other League Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 34 members from 21 clubs. A/Cantlow & Stratford-on-Avon
fined for non-attendance
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Asphalt Express, Redditch, as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. Ball sponsor as beforePaul Bruner
of Shopfittings and Equipment, Bidford. Second year of agreed four year
sponsorship.
League increased from 37 teams from 23 clubs to 40 from 23.
All five divisions in the league consist of 8 teams in each.
New Teams:- Alcester B, Moreton-in-the-Marsh B and Studley C.
Leaving Teams:- Nil
Charity Cup Winners:- Stratford-on-Avon B (Winter League) beat Stratford C
League Champions:- Stratford / Runners-up:- Littleton
Division 1 Winners:- Stratford C / Runners-up:- Chipping Campden
Division 2 Winners:- Moreton-in-the-Marsh / Runners-up:- Inkberrow B
Division 3 Winners:- Whitnash / Runners-up:- Ardencote
Division 4 Winners:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Claverdon C
Floodlit Shield:- Claverdon / Runners-up:- Inkberrow
Floodlit Plate:- Inkberrow B / Runners-up:- HDA Redditch
Floodlit Cup:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Bidford B
Junior Cup Winners:- Shipston-on-Stour / Runners-up:- Alcester
King Cup Winners:- Studley (Club of the Year)
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Derek Northam
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
League Secretary: Corin Stuart Bishop, 19 Queensway, Bidford-on-Avon,
Warwicks. B50 4BA. Tel: 01789-778357
2007
A.G.M. held at the Royal British Legion Club, Bidford-on-Avon. All League
Officials re-elected.
Attendance by 30 members from 20 clubs. Ilmington & Whitnash fined for
non-attendance
League Sponsors:- Still Prudden Road Surfacing details as before.
Junior Sponsors:- Asphalt Express, Redditch, as before.
Floodlit Sponsor:- Tony King as before. Ball sponsor as beforePaul Bruner of
Shopfittings and Equipment, Bidford. Third year of agreed four year
sponsorship.
League stayed the same at 40 teams but from 22 clubs (one less - Ullenhall).
All five divisions in the league consist of 8 teams in each.
New Teams:- HDA B, Bidford C and Claverdon C.
Leaving Teams:- Studley A, Stratford E and Ullenhall
Charity Cup Winners:- Stratford-on-Avon (Summer League) beat Evesham (Winter
League)
League Champions:- Stratford / Runners-up:- Evesham
Division 1 Winners:- Inkberrow B / Runners-up:- Moreton-in-the-Marsh
Division 2 Winners:- Whitnash / Runners-up:- Ardencote ManorB
Division 3 Winners:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Studley
Division 4 Winners:- Harbury / Runners-up:- Studley B
Floodlit Shield:- Stratford / Runners-up:- Claverdon
Floodlit Plate:- Alcester B / Runners-up:- Ilmington
Floodlit Cup:- Studley B / Runners-up:- Henley
Junior Cup Winners:- Shipston-on-Stour / Runners-up:- Tanworth-in-Arden
King Cup Winners:- Shipston (Club of the Year)
Millennium Scroll:- Winner - Simon Moss
(Scroll presented by Secretary for best season's administration)
League Secretary: Corin Stuart Bishop, 19 Queensway, Bidford-on-Avon,
Warwicks. B50 4BA. Tel: 01789-778357
With thanks to
our league sponsors
Prudden
Road Surfacing
Widney Sports
Tower Trophies
